MASON CITY – The flag of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) became part of the Gallery of Flags at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in Mason City.
Mayor Bill Schickel and Mason City resident Esdaka Soukon presented the flag to NIACC President Joel Pederson at 10 a.m. Thursday morning at the NIACC Activity Center.
The flag was presented to Mayor Schickel and the Mason City community on August 3 during the annual Micronesian Softball Tournament and Friendship Day at Frederick Hanford Park.
The beautiful blue in the flag represents the Pacific Ocean while the four white stars represent the states of Micronesia, echoing the stars of the states on the United States (US) flag.
The US and FSM have a long established “Compact of Friendship” with FSM citizens serving in all branches of the US Armed Forces.
(PHOTO (via NIACC): From left, NIACC President Joel Pedersen, Mason City Schools Community Liaison Esdaka Soukon, Mayor Bill Schickel, Dalila Sajadian Director of Learning Services and Math Instructor Mara Ouverson display the flag of the Federated States of Micronesia this morning. Soukon, who works for Mason City Schools as a Community Liaison, presented the flag to hang in NIACC’s Activity Center.)